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Brand Licensing Europe, the region's leading licensing event, will host 250 exhibitors–90 of them new–with approximately 2,200 brands and properties on exhibition. It's the largest ever show floor with th
April 6, 2018
Brand Licensing Europe, the region's leading licensing event, will host 250 exhibitors–90 of them new–with approximately 2,200 brands and properties on exhibition. It's the largest ever show floor with the most exhibitors making Brand Licensing Europe 2011 the biggest in its 12 year history. The film screening suite will again return, popcorn and all; the Licensing Academy welcomes world class names to inspire and to instruct; and the show floor has the best in every category: sport, lifestyle, television, film, publishing and design.
Brand Licensing Europe 2011 will be marked by quality. The new ideas and brands that you'll see on the show floor are the standouts, the most imaginative, the best researched and the ones with the highest possible chance for success. This year, more than any year, retailers should feel confident about the opportunities being presented to them at Brand Licensing Europe.
In 2010, the aisles were full of people looking for girls' properties. Expect to see the industry respond this year, with major companies like Mattel pitching Barbie as a perfect reflection of fashion, cultural relevance and aspiration (as well as boasting representation in more than 45 categories); Spin Master with its new collectible toy Zoobles; and brand new concepts such as Gem Fairies, born of a greeting card range and represented by JELC.
Last year was a relatively soft year for preschool. This year, there are a number of strong launches including Olly the Little White Van (Ideas at Work); Tilly and Friends (Walker) and Cloudbabies (HoHo Entertainment).
Properties that stem from digital media have come into their own and you can expect to see full blown licensing plans for properties such as Talking Friends from Beanstalk and AT New Media's Worms. The trail is blazed by Moshi Monsters, whose creator Michael Acton Smith will deliver the keynote address Oct. 18 in the Licensing Academy.
Another force to be reckoned with this year will be toy companies marketing their own intellectual properties. Giochi Preziosi, Hasbro, Spin Master and Mattel each own toy concepts with top TV, online and product credentials. They will look to Brand Licensing Europe to expand them into full licensing programs.
Glow Europe, the Belgian company specializing in retail promotions, has turned to creating collectibles, called Bumpeez. The concept launched in the U.K. last month with the support of 40,000 retailers. It forecasts sales of 50 million over the next three years and is at Brand Licensing Europe to find a U.K. agent to take on what Hamleys has called, "the next playground craze."
Lifestyle brands at show include Chupa Chups and Smiley, which is celebrating the opening of its first Smiley store in London. Specialist agency Performance Brands presents Oxford University and The Scout Association U.K. For a different sort of adventuring there is the enduring Dangerous Book for Boys property from Rocket Licensing, which also introduces a licensing program this year for Bruce Lee, the Kung Fu legend. Groovy U.K. has signed the program for bathrobes and Trademark Clothing for t-shirts. Rocket anticipates a strong market for the Bruce Lee brand in fashion, apparel and gift.
Other celebrity brand names on the show floor include Muhammad Ali, Paris Hilton and Tiësto, which will exhibit for the first time this year by The Movement International. The Movement International reported brisk interest from European visitors to its booth at Licensing International Expo 2011 and hopes to build on that in London as Tiësto prepares for his biggest ever DJ tour to date (and the largest DJ tour in history) when he plays 170 venues in 2012. The Movement International will create a limited edition release of apparel for late 2011 and into spring, followed by a full roll out for autumn/winter 2012.
"This is a fashion brand so we're looking to create apparel and accessories," says Martin Cribbs, executive vice president of The Movement International. "Tiësto is one of the most interconnected personalities there is. He walks off the stage and tweets to half a million fans, making a personal connection. His fans and our customers aged 16-25 live by social media, so there is an authentic connection."
Tiësto's famous bird in a circle logo has been developed into different treatments and there are a number of graphics and original photography available for use. The Movement International is working with U.K. consultant Jane Evans, and has a list of target licensees in apparel, footwear and social expressions.
Sony is celebrating the success of this year's The Smurfs feature film, and the second film is due in summer 2013. Sony will also screen Arthur Christmas, a CGI feature made with Aardman Animation, which has an exclusive holiday season product program in Toys 'R' Us. Aardman will also open The Pirates! A Band of Misfits in spring 2012. Men in Black 3 follows in May 2012 and features a fashionable 60s aesthetic and sensibility. Jakks Pacific is the master toy partner and Activision will release a video game featuring the world of all three Men in Black movies. A similar retail model has been implemented for Hotel Transylvania, an animated feature opening autumn 2012 in which Dracula builds a hotel where monsters can retreat from humans.
"What we've learned is to get the retailer interested in the film at a senior level, and then consult the buyers about what they are buying, what are the trends, what events are they planning, etc.," says Gregory Economos, senior vice president of Sony Global Consumer Products.
Leading Universal's product offerings at Brand Licensing Europe is Despicable Me 2, which opens in summer 2013. It's the follow up to the animation featuring Gru, his girls and a vast array of minions. Despicable Me grossed $540 million at the global box office. Universal will also headline Snow White and The Huntsman, opening next summer. The re-telling of the famous fairy tale is produced by Joe Roth and described by Universal as "breathtaking."
Lucasfilm will be on the show floor again this year. It's more than 30 years since Star Wars opened on the big screen and created a collective experience that would have an indelible impact on our entertainment culture. The Star Wars saga is now being released in Blu-Ray.
And last but not least, Mercis BV and its U.K. agent DRi will explain the plans surrounding the launch of Miffy the Movie in spring 2013, with new licensing in some categories.
Brand Licensing Europe offers some of the strongest and best-known international TV brands as well as some very quirky ones. Don't miss the extremely British "This Morning" (ITV) and "The Great British Bake Off" (Metrostar).
FremantleMedia Enterprises is promoting itself as a partner for third party brand representations following its international success with the design led Rebecca Bonbon fashion property. This is also a big year for FME's children's brands–its full Jakks Pacific toy line and the U.S. broadcast for "Monsuno" will launch in the second quarter of 2012. "My Babysitter is a Vampire" has just debuted in Germany, and its preschool show, "Tree Fu Tom," is preparing for launch in the U.K. in 2012.
CPLG presents two distinctly British TV brands this year. The first is "The Only Way Is Essex," known as "TOWIE" by its fans. A fourth series has been commissioned, and licensing partners include Sommerbond, FB Beauty, Fashion U.K. and The Beauty Works. Quite different but just as British is "Downtown Abbey," the hit ITV1 show from Carnival Films that charts the fortunes of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in Downton Abbey. The second season began airing in September and will be followed by a Christmas special. A third series is in development. CPLG has recently announced a direct to retail agreement with Past Times in time for Christmas.
Nickelodeon's portfolio includes the live action series "Victorious" and "Big Time Rush" alongside the Rainbow Productions co-produced "Winx Club" and the new CGI series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," which debuts on Nickelodeon in the U.S. next fall and elsewhere in the world starting in spring 2013.
BRB will announce the European TV premiere of "Canimals," which is based on characters shaped like tin cans. Tomy is the master toy partner in Europe.
With properties Peppa Pig and Ben 10 moving into more mature phases of licensing, there is an opportunity for other brands to shine through this year. Brands such as Zodiak's Little Princess (the series airs on Milkshake in the U.K.), HIT's Mike the Knight, Chorion's Octonauts and Coolabi's Poppycat are each properties to watch.
Postman Pat celebrates his 30th birthday this year and Classic Media's Nicole Blake told License! Global: "No one will be unaware that it is Postman Pat's birthday."
With new products, TV and a forthcoming movie in 2013, it will be Pat's biggest year yet.
Clive Juster has been working with the simple cell animated character Mr Benn since the first series of same name debuted in the 1970s. In each episode Mr Benn walks into a shop and changes into a costume to have an adventure. It's a property that simply doesn't go away, and Clive Juster & Associates now manages the licensing program. Most of the 30 licensees are for adult and niche products (cufflinks, for example), but the pajama company Tyrrell Katz has taken the first license that will move the brand into the kids market. The long term plan is to realize a big media project that will give Mr Benn a new life for a wider audience. Don't miss the stand, which will look like the shop from the series.
Entertainment One's Humf property will make a bigger entrance this year.
"We have waited for the momentum to build before embarking on a licensing program for 'Humf' and we've got it now," says Andrew Carley of eOne.
eOne is looking for new partners to supplement the first licensed products that will launch later this year and into 2012. eOne will also explain its next plans for the Peppa Pig program; it will launch in European territories where there is already strong broadcast such as Spain, Portugal, Australia, Italy, Benelux and Nordic, with a strong focus on promotions, fast moving consumer goods and digital partners for the U.K. The brand exceeded £200 million in U.K. merchandise sales in 2010.
Talking Friends, the mobile game from Outfit 7, is represented by Beanstalk and the brand will be a major focus for the agency this year. It's been a year since the game's launch and since had over 150 million downloads.
"Digital brands are developing at a more accelerated pace than traditional brands and the level of engagement is very different. The consumer is in control and telling you to what extent they are interested in it. The challenge is to take the digital property and give it physical elements," says Ciaran Coyle, managing director, Beanstalk.
Talking Friends was signed at Licensing International Expo and deals are already in negotiation for gift and novelty, footwear, home décor, apparel and travel retail in North America, Asia and Europe.
AT New Media brings the video game brand, Worms, which was launched in 1995 and now appears on 20 gaming platforms with 30 million retail copies sold to date. "Worms 4: Mayhem" releases later this year, promising more hilarity and high jinks.
V&A Licensing is the torch bearer for art and design licensing with still more partners being inspired by material in the Victoria and Albert Museum archive to produce distinctive and beautiful products.
Recent inspirations include a V&A range by Radley, the U.K. handbag and accessories company; a selection of gloves inspired by the touring exhibition "The Cult of Beauty" by U.S. licensee Ethel Gloves; and birch wood trays made by Swedish company Ary Trays using a design by architect Baillie Scott.
Animaru, last year's winner of the Licensing Challenge License This! competition, is launching this year with a fully formed strategy for its hundreds of animal icons. You can see the style guide at its stand. Current plans include a publishing and trading card concept for youngsters.
Plus Licens introduces Little Pink & Brokiga Friends, a picture book and design property by Stina Wirsen, one of Sweden's most renowned artists and illustrators. The property is already very popular in Japan and now the first Little Pink & Brokiga title has been published in Belgium by NV WPG Uitgevers.
MGL's Valentina Ramos worked 15 years as a graphic designer before branching out into her bright, colorful work. A full range of products launch worldwide in 2012.
F2D2, the French licensing federation, is hosting a pavilion of French companies. It includes icons of French culture such as the Tour de France and the Moulin Rouge, as well as TF1 Licences, which is introducing the French classic literary brand Barbapapa. Moonscoop will present its preschool series "Chloe's Closet," and Editions Albert-Rene brings Asterix, the plucky Gaul, to focus on international markets and to celebrate the new live action movie coming in 2012. The property has 50 licensees around Europe, and a deal was recently signed with SEE Virtual Worlds for an Asterix online game.
"The deal with SEE reflects our international ambitions and we will have the pleasure to announce other deals at BLE this year," says Baptiste Cazaux, head of licensing for Editions Albert-Rene.
Alphanim is also in the F2D2 pavilion, introducing its plans for the 50-year-old European classic preschool series "Calimero" after being appointed agent, distributor and licensor for the new series. It will appoint agents across Europe and will shortly announce the master toy partner. Calimero originated in Italy, and now the brand has a new look, new series and new positioning to re-introduce it to children getting to know it for the first time.
"We are known for taking existing properties and refreshing them," says Gregory Pierron of Alphanim. "Calimero is something really big that we all grew up with. The potential is for the brand to be licensed into traditional categories and also, for the first time, to introduce it to others."
Niche publishing programs such as for Dear Zoo and The Gruffalo, which serve the department and independent retail sector, have been proliferating in the U.K. and this year there will be even more treasures at Brand Licensing Europe.
Walker Books, a giant in this field, will highlight Maisy, Guess How Much I Love You and Tilly and Friends, its preschool commission for CBeebies. DRi brings Roald Dahl, Start Licensing offers Jacqueline Wilson, Caroline Mickler presents the Moomins and Chorion exhibits its stable of classics including Eric Carle and Paddington Bear.
New to the floor is Winnie the Witch, which centers on the eccentric, colorful and unusual character created by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul and published by Oxford University Press. Metrostar will manage the licensing. Madcap Winnie and her black cat Wilbur have a highly distinctive look and Metrostar is looking for partners to make puzzles, games, apparel, stationery, greetings, plush and dress up.
"I think literary brands are underrepresented and when they come out the products are generally gorgeous," says Clare Potter, managing director for Metrostar. "Retailers understand the value of books like Winnie the Witch and they appreciate just how much love and craft have gone into them and made them so strong."
Where's Wally/Where's Waldo will be 25 in 2012.
"With the Wally property, we have taken a market by market approach led by the success of the books and the app, and found that our patience is being rewarded," says Nicole Blake, executive vice president, global marketing and consumer products, Classic Media. "Wally has a play pattern, even though it's a book, and people of all ages understand it. The books are known globally and the Where's Wally app has had four million downloads–this is one of very few brands that is truly global."
The Big Interview with Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing
Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing, will be the subject of The Big Interview at this year's Licensing Academy.
There are few people closer to the Star Wars brand and the secrets behind its success than Roffman. In The Big Interview, Roffman will discuss his work with the Star Wars brand, the keys to its longevity and the plans for its future. Roffman will share his unique insight into what it is like to work with the "Force" and to unite three generations of fans.
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New Delhi has been of particular concern to Uber since last year when one of its drivers was accused of sexually assaulting a rider. Soon after, the service was banned by local regulators, citing inappropriate licensing. In January, despite its ban, Uber went back on the roads in New Delhi, saying that it was applying for a radio taxi license. In June, New Delhi authorities rejected the application and started impounding Uber cars. The company's victory in the New Delhi court on Wednesday came after Uber petitioned the court, saying that its license denial was inappropriate. The company pointed to the same regulators approving the license of a local ride-sharing service named Ola. The courts reportedly agreed with Uber that it was being treated unfairly and according to Reuters, the company will now have an opportunity to resubmit a license application. Meanwhile, Uber is allowed to operate in the city.
The Mexico City provision, however, could set a new precedent for Uber in l'aveugle par amour iphone case Latin America, The company, which hasn't faced regulatory scrutiny outside of Brazil to this point, may have to pay 1,599 pesos ($101) per year for each vehicle it operates in Mexico City, Uber will also need to pay 1.5 percent of its domestic revenue to a new city transport fund, according to Reuters, An Uber spokeswoman said that the company has been working with authorities in Mexico City to come up with an agreed-upon solution..
"We are excited about the possibility of regulations that benefit over 500,000 users, that protect our partner drivers, and that translate into a permanent home for Uber in the Mexican capital," the Uber spokeswoman said in a statement. "Meanwhile, we reiterate that we are in every disposition to pay a permit to operate, as long as it does not elevate prices for our users, or endanger the quality of service our partners provide."Despite the regulatory hurdles, there is no shortage of investors who want to partner with the company. Uber is planning to raise between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in a new funding round, according to reports that surfaced in May. Uber would then be valued at around $50 billion, making it the most valuable private technology company in the world.
Updated at 12:40 p.m, PT with comment from Uber spokeswoman and to clarify that Uber has been working with the authorities in Mexico City, l'aveugle par amour iphone case The car-hailing service's ban in New Delhi has been revoked, but it will be hit with levies and regulations in Mexico City, Car-hailing service Uber has something to celebrate -- and something to complain about, Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic, We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read, Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion..
The software giant announced Wednesday that it will lay off 7,800 workers, most of them in its moribund smartphone unit, which it bought from Nokia last year to the tune of slightly more than $7.2 billion. The 7,800 positions being cut represent about 6.5 percent of the 118,584 employees Microsoft had as of March 31. The company also said that as a result of the layoffs and restructuring, it will record a charge of around $7.6 billion related to assets it took aboard through its acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Services business, along with restructuring expenses of approximately $750 million to $850 million. In a nutshell, that means Microsoft paid too much for Nokia's phone business based on how the unit is performing now, and the company wants to write off some of the now "worthless" assets.
Microsoft isn't giving up on mobile phones, but rather is still finding its way, "I am committed to our first-party devices, including phones," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement Wednesday, "However, we need to focus our phone efforts in the near term while driving reinvention, We are moving from a strategy to grow a standalone phone business to a strategy to grow and create a vibrant Windows ecosystem that includes our first-party device family."Last month, Microsoft announced that l'aveugle par amour iphone case Stephen Elop, the former CEO of Nokia who headed Microsoft's devices group, was leaving the company, Joining him on the exit line was former Nokia executive Jo Harlow, who reported to Elop..
Microsoft has long been trying to make a greater dent in the smartphone market, one of the reasons it acquired Nokia's handset unit. But it's mired in a distant third place in the market, with a 2.5 percent share that's going nowhere, far behind Apple and Android. The company meanwhile is looking to Windows 10 as a white knight that will run apps across all manner of devices and bring new features and a new look to PCs, tablets and mobile phones. The operating system, set to launch July 29, is designed to offer a more unifying experience among computers and mobile devices. So Microsoft is hoping consumers who like Windows 10 on their PCs or tablets may be more drawn to mobile phones with the same software.
But even if Windows 10 is a stunning success, carving out a greater chunk of the mobile market is a huge challenge, l'aveugle par amour iphone case Though Microsoft remains a significant software maker, with one version or another of Windows running on more than 90 percent of the world's computers, it has stumbled for years in the mobile phone market and has yet to find a spark as developers and consumers alike remain fixated on Apple's iPhone and on Android phones from Samsung and others, The new layoffs are in addition to the 18,000 employees Microsoft said a year ago that it planned to let go, according to sources who spoke to The New York Times, which earlier reported on today's announced job cuts, Most of those previously announced, 18,000 cuts involved the struggling Nokia division as well..

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Starbucks introducing $1 reusable cup
- Staff Denver Business Journal
Starbucks Corp. today will roll out a $1 reusable plastic cup at its cafes in an effort to reduce trash, but there are doubts that customers will kick the disposable habit, reports USA Today.
The Seattle-based company (Nasdaq: SBUX) is introducing the reusable tumbler amid public pressure to curb trash from disposable cups. It will bear the company's logo and resemble the paper version.
The company will offer a dime discount for each refill so the cup pays for itself after 10 uses.
USA Today reports that the product is Starbuck’s latest attempt to address criticism that food and beverage retailers need to reduce the amount of disposable cups and containers that ends up in landfills or litters streets and waterways.
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Buick Envision Concept Headed to Production
While currently operating brands Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Wuling in China, the very first China division GM crossover, the Buick Envision, will come to market next year, according to a report from the Beijing Times Newspaper.
Shanghai GM first introduced the Envision concept at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and presented a very progressive shape, further evolving Buick’s design philosophy. A GM representative said, “Envision merges Buick’s global design language with Chinese aesthetics and was designed specifically for the China market.”
The Buick Envision will receive a plug-in hybrid powerplant. To highlight the technology fitted to the vehicle, the Envision’s technology driven interior will feature a futuristic dashboard, flat bottomed steering wheel, an oversized central instrument tunnel and a flat floor to optimize passenger cabin comfort.
Some initial reports indicate the Envision may be built in China and for the Chinese market, but production and sales of the hybrid crossover are expected for other markets as well.
GALLERY: Buick Envision Concept


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A little while ago, I read that Seattle had made it to the #1 spot in online giving for 2011. This article indicates that 273 cities with a population of more than 100,000 were ranked based on per capita online giving. In fact, “the average gift size remained steady in 2011 compared to 2010 at $65, as more than $435 million was donated by people who reside in the 273 major cities.”
And would you believe it: another Washington city, Bellevue, a neighbor to Seattle, is #9!
This certainly illustrates the influence of the internet on generosity practices. I guess it is easier to donate online, than to write a check and put it in the mail. And with the surge in branding (defining the idea, image, logo, or slogan of an organization in a compelling way that easily enables consumers to connect with that organization) and social media, it is no wonder that online donating has increased.
Here’s my challenge to fellow Seattleites: let’s keep Seattle #1 on this list! To everyone else, let’s get your city up on the list!!


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Amidst the global outbreak of novel Coronavirus or COVID-19, several general stores around the globe have taken special considerations of people who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus transmission. The stores have started out with special senior shopping hours, even for people with compromised immunity system. Several people panicking about running out of groceries and supplies. However, stores like Albertsons is open and are providing extreme services.
According to the official website of the Albertsons, their stores are going to remain open. They have released a statement that the Albertsons senior shopping hours will be designated for senior citizens and vulnerable population on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reports suggest that special permits for those with a weakened immunity will be required in writing from the doctors. Only then will these people be allowed in Albertsons hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Albertsons is open for all. However, everyone has to follow the proper guidelines. The store entrance will also mark with testing kits for any fever. So Albertsons is open with extreme measures taken for safety and preventing further spread of COVID-19.
It is specified in the report released by Albertsons CEO, Vivek Sankaran, that senior shopping hours will start from 7 am in the morning to 9 am. No other shoppers can be allowed within these hours. These hours need to be checked pre-hand in different branches.
Generally, Albertsons hours are open for the general public between 9 am to 9 pm all days throughout the week. However, during these Albertsons hours on the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, all compromised people will be provided with sanitization and hand washing options. According to the website, working staff of Albertsons will be provided with safety equipment and proper training.


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TheDepartment of Justicefiled a civil antitrust lawsuit today againstDean Foods Company challenging its April 2009 acquisition ofForemost Farms USA'sConsumer Products Division. The department said that the merger eliminates substantial competition between the two companies in the sale of milk to schools, grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, along with state attorneys general from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee, seeking to require Dean Foods, Dallas, to sell the dairy processing plants it acquired from Foremost Farms.
Dairy processors, such as Dean Foods and Foremost Farms, purchase raw milk from dairy farms and agricultural cooperatives to pasteurize and package the milk. The processors then distribute and sell the milk to school districts, supermarkets, grocery stores and other commercial customers.
"The purpose of the department's lawsuit is to restore competition so that schools, grocery stores and other retailers in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, will pay lower prices for their milk," said Christine Varney, assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division.
The department's lawsuit not only seeks to undo the 2009 deal but also requires Dean Foods to notify the department at least 30 days prior to any future acquisition involving a milk processing operation.
Dean Foods' acquisition of Foremost Farms' two dairy processing plants in De Pere and Waukesha, Wis., eliminated an aggressive competitor against Dean Foods, the department said. Dean Foods and Foremost Farms were the first and fourth largest milk processors in northeastern Illinois, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the UP) and Wisconsin, respectively. Dean Foods now has approximately 57 percent of the market for processed milk in northeastern Illinois, the UP and Wisconsin.
The department's complaint alleges that the transaction reduced competition substantially in the sale of milk to school districts in the UP and Wisconsin. Dean Foods and Foremost Farms were the two best-situated processors from which to purchase milk for numerous school districts in the UP and Wisconsin. After Dean Foods' acquisition of Foremost Farms' Consumer Products Division, these districts have been left with a monopoly provider. There are also a substantial number of school districts in the region for which Dean Foods and Foremost Farms were two of only three recent or likely future bidders. These school districts have been left with only two choices after the acquisition.
The department also alleges that the acquisition reduced competition substantially in the sale of milk to supermarkets, grocery stores, and other commercial customers throughout northeastern Illinois, the UP and Wisconsin. Dean Foods' acquisition deprived these retailers of the benefits of substantial head-to-head competition between Dean Foods and Foremost Farms. Further, the department said that with Foremost Farms eliminated as a competitor, it would be easier for Dean Foods to coordinate with the remaining milk processors, whose competitive decision-making Dean Foods has described as "more predictable" and "rational."
The April 2009 transaction between Dean Foods and Foremost Farms was not required to be reported under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, which requires companies to notify and provide information to the department and the Federal Trade Commission before consummating certain acquisitions. The purchase price of the transaction was less than the minimum reporting threshold.
Dean Foods is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Dallas. It is one of the largest food and beverage producers in the United States, with revenues of $11.82 billion in 2008. Dean Foods' Dairy Group is the country's largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products.
Foremost Farms is a Wisconsin member-owned business association headquartered in Baraboo, Wis., the members of which are dairy farmers. In 2008, its Consumer Products Division had net sales of $233.7 million. Prior to Dean Foods' acquisition of its Consumer Products Division, Foremost Farms processed its members' raw milk at its plants in De Pere and Waukesha, Wis., as well as at other facilities.


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This story is centric towards those startups and entrepreneurs who want to create a fitness app like Kayla Itsines’ Sweat app. Herein rounded up top three unique solutions behind the success of this fitness app. Let’s have a look!
The health and fitness sector is evolving rapidly. In the past times, the fitness thing was limited to VHS tape, CDs, and DVDs. But, the story has changed this time. Now, everything has been replaced by the apps whether it is about ordering food or booking a taxi.
At Apple’s 2018 WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference) in San Jose, the company brought one of the most popular fitness industry’s icons, Kayla Itsines, who is the co-creator of BBG (Bikini Body Guides) and the Sweat app. According to the latest report from TechCrunch, “Sweat app will soon rake in $77 million USD this year in order to lead a morning workout for around 200 conference attendees.”
As per the recent report from Sensortower.com, Sweat app has secured the third position in the list of the top grossing health and fitness apps in the U.S. for January 2019.
Sweat: The Most Popular Fitness App
Launched back in November 2015, the Sweat app is a one-stop destination for fitness programs for women and featuring programs across all areas like yoga, pregnancy workout, and gym workouts.
- The Sweat app grew 86% last year, and it is expected to hit about $100 million in revenue this year.
- The Sweat app ranked #2 among top four health and fitness applications, this is what you can see in the below-given image.
- Over a million people use the app on a monthly basis, and out of 30 million total app downloads of the Sweat app. In addition, the app is based in Australia; however, the U.S is Sweat’s largest market.
- According to SimilarWeb report,”The Sweat app’s usage rank and Google Play Rank in Health and Fitness category is constant and lies at the top.” Here we can say that the Sweat app is performing outstandingly in the niche of health and fitness.
- Even better, as per the report from AppAnnie, “The download rank of Sweat app is also going upward.” This is what you can see in the below-given image.
In short, it is safe to say that Sweat app has been performing so well that the app has managed among 4 top health and fitness apps. It is time to check out unique solutions by Kayla Itsines’ Sweat app, have a look!
3 Unique Solutions by Kayla Itsines’ Sweat App That are Behind The Success in a Short Time
1. Affordable Cost
If you want to become successful in the health and fitness tracking apps niche, you need to deliver, which is something affordable at cost for users. In general, people do incline towards quality and affordability.
However, you might be thinking how can you deliver affordability in fitness apps. As you may know that the Sweat app is one of the best mobile apps for fitness enthusiasts across areas like yoga, pregnancy and gym workouts, especially for women. Users need to pay $19.99 per month to use the Sweat app that is much cheaper than the gym. Also, users can select for the annual membership to save 50%. In this way, Sweat app has become popular among women fitness enthusiasts.
However, app users are turning to the app instead of the gym, and it can be a companion for those users who don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars they tend to charge. So, it is important to offer a platform where fitness enthusiasts can get services at affordable cost. Moreover, you need to analyze the pain points of your customers before providing the platform in terms of the mobile app. As what Sweat app did.
After providing affordable cost, the second most pivotal solution is that startups need to offer convenience. We live in the world, where everyone is looking for convenience. When it comes to the fitness apps, you can provide a platform to users where they can access workout programs at their fingertips by just using the workout app for Android.
If we’re talking about the users’ side, a number of workout programs streamline the process and can turn to the app instead of the gym. An ideal fitness app can be a companion for those who want the assistance of a personal trainer in a gym environment, and they do not require to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars into the gym.
In the one-stop solution, users can explore multiple health programs, including fitness tracker, healthy eating and meal planning, weight tracking and exercise motivation. According to the report from TechCrunch, “The Sweat App had a really big growth as it grew about 86% from the last year.” So, we can say that both convenience and handy features, which are behind these figures and its spontaneous growth.
3. Solutions for Fitness Enthusiasts to Solve their Real-life Problems
If you are planning to create fitness app like Sweat, then you just need to optimize the whole experience to get the best results for your app users. You need to provide solutions for those problems, which are never seen as providing the women-centric platform where women of same age groups can join the community to transform their body. Sweat app has provided the platform for women only, or we can say that the community for women.
The fitness app offers a wide range of video-led fitness programs and focusing on all the aspects of health and wellbeing. As it covers the programs, including yoga, strength performance training and rehab.
The app also offers a new and popular program i.e. Bikini Body Workout called ‘BBG Stronger’ which is a 28-minute resistance program as it includes weight exercises, which can be done at home or in the gym. However, both the original and update strength program will be available on the app.
So, creating a successful fitness app like Sweat, it is important to keep an eye on the aforesaid solutions which are provided by Kayla Itsines’ Sweat app. In addition, to optimize the experience of your app users, you need to consider the fitness app features that can create value in the lives of fitness enthusiasts. Also, these solutions must provide ease to users’ lives.
So, if you have decided to develop Android app regarding health and fitness app development, then you can directly get in touch with us as we are a leading mobile app development company and have already developed over 40 apps in health and fitness category.
In case, if you still have any query or confusion regarding health and fitness app development, how long does it take to create calorie counter app or how much does it cost to create apps for fitness. Then, all you just need to fill up the below-given form and our sales representative will revert to you as soon as possible. Our consultation is totally free of cost.
You’ll also like:
- 3 Fitness App Ideas To Develop in 2017 And Ways to Earn Money From Them!
- Don’t Forget to Include These 6 Features While Developing a Fitness App Like 8fit
This page was last edited on May 18th, 2020, at 7:23.


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|By Maureen O'Gara||
|March 26, 2012 07:45 AM EDT||
Zumbox, the American digital mail start-up, has changed its overseas strategy. Rather than try to involve the local postal operator - as it has once with New Zealand Post - it's going to go it alone.
It's starting in Australia where its wholly owned licensing arm, Zumbox Software Inc, has just climbed in bed with two big publicly traded mail outsourcers to create a joint venture called Digital Post Australia (DPA) that will offer consumers a way to get their paper mail electronically.
Digital Post Australia is supposed to be the first digital postal system in Australia.
Zumbox CEO John Payne, who's on DPA's board, claims that Zumbox is "seeing high demand for digital alternatives to the current postal system, both here in the US and abroad."
Unfortunately because of non-disclosure agreements Payne says he can't say anything about New Zealand Post's experience implementing Zumbox. And NZ Post has been completely opaque about what it's doing since it signed a national exclusive license for the Zumbox widgetry 11 months ago.
The deal was seen as a big endorsement for the US start-up and then went quiet. NZ Post was supposed to test the system and stage a trial, which doesn't seem to have happened yet. There was never a guarantee it would be implemented.
The Australia Post, which hasn't gone electronic, is already ticked off at the prospect of DPA's coming competition. As in other major markets, its letter post and revenues are dwindling under the Internet's onslaught and it needs to keep every piece of mail it gets.
Faced with the start-up's announcement of its imminent arrival, Oz Post told Australia's Daily Telegraph that it was launching its own digital post service "within a few weeks," and expressed concern that consumers will be confused by the name Digital Post Australia, thinking it's part of Australia Post.
The state-owned company also waved around the legal protections afforded the mail it carries and other scare tactics.
Zumbox' partners in Australia are the local arm of the multibillion-dollar Computershare and Salmat, who together handle mail for banking, insurance, utilities, telecommunications, government and share registries and are supposed to reach every home in Australia. Who owns what is unclear.
As a "utility service," Digital Post Australia is also supposed to be available to all "communication service providers" in the country.
Zumbox, by the way, has a deal with Computershare in the US and Salmat already offers its mailers an online service.
Seventy percent of the addressed mail in Oz, which works out to 20 million items a day, is reportedly sent by 30 organisations including government agencies and DPA has reportedly already chatted them up. It thinks it may get 15 of them but in the end the scheme depends on consumers buying into the free service.
Obviously Zumbox is kicking in its cloud-based technology for mirroring every street address in the country with an electronic mailbox and storage archive. It says the system has been extended, adapted and customized to meet the specific requirements of the Australian market.
The effort will go live in the second half probably around September. It expects to deliver bills, statements, insurance documents, warrantees, government mail, stock and brokerage disclosures and annual reports, which it promises to store securely forever for free. The system is supposed to notify users when bills are due.
According to some independent research DPA had done by GfK bluemoon 50% of Australians are supposed to be interested in the idea of digital postal mail.
Forrester Research observes that almost 80% of global consumers pay bills, transact e-commerce and do other things online, but only 20% turn off the related paper mail. It says consumers cited the need for paper documents for recordkeeping as the main reason why.
Digital Post Australia says it will deliver those documents in native digital formats such as HTML, Flash, audio and video to a household archive totally under the control of the consumer, who can search it, tag it for tax and business reasons and access it from any device, including Apple's increasingly ubiquitous iPad and iPhone and their rival Android devices complements of a PIN number the user ironically gets through the mail.
Mailers, users and their physical addresses are all supposed to be verified. The Zumbox technology has bank-level security and is said to be hacker-free and phishing-free.
Besides anytime access and online document storage, fewer trees will be cut down to make paper, fewer mail trucks will be on the road and there will less waste consigned to landfills.
Typically under the Zumbox system mailers only start paying when users suppress their paper mail. Whether that scheme will maintain in Australia is unclear.
Per-piece pricing is supposed to save mailers between 50% and 70% of their traditional printing and mailing costs and the scheme holds out the hope of mailers cultivating deeper relationships with their users though Zumbox' direct communications channel.
Of course users may not appreciate their mail being mined. And many may already get their bills e-mailed.
Fact is, enterprises have significant legacy voice infrastructure that’s costly to replace with pure IP solutions. How can we bring this analog infrastructure into our shiny new cloud applications? There are proven methods to bind both legacy voice applications and traditional PSTN audio into cloud-based applications and services at a carrier scale. Some of the most successful implementations leverage WebRTC, WebSockets, SIP and other open source technologies. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Da...
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As data explodes in quantity, importance and from new sources, the need for managing and protecting data residing across physical, virtual, and cloud environments grow with it. Managing data includes protecting it, indexing and classifying it for true, long-term management, compliance and E-Discovery. Commvault can ensure this with a single pane of glass solution – whether in a private cloud, a Service Provider delivered public cloud or a hybrid cloud environment – across the heterogeneous enter...
Dec. 3, 2016 06:15 PM EST Reads: 1,508
"IoT is going to be a huge industry with a lot of value for end users, for industries, for consumers, for manufacturers. How can we use cloud to effectively manage IoT applications," stated Ian Khan, Innovation & Marketing Manager at Solgeniakhela, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at @ThingsExpo, held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 3, 2016 05:30 PM EST Reads: 4,040
Today we can collect lots and lots of performance data. We build beautiful dashboards and even have fancy query languages to access and transform the data. Still performance data is a secret language only a couple of people understand. The more business becomes digital the more stakeholders are interested in this data including how it relates to business. Some of these people have never used a monitoring tool before. They have a question on their mind like “How is my application doing” but no id...
Dec. 3, 2016 05:15 PM EST Reads: 2,136
@GonzalezCarmen has been ranked the Number One Influencer and @ThingsExpo has been named the Number One Brand in the “M2M 2016: Top 100 Influencers and Brands” by Onalytica. Onalytica analyzed tweets over the last 6 months mentioning the keywords M2M OR “Machine to Machine.” They then identified the top 100 most influential brands and individuals leading the discussion on Twitter.
Dec. 3, 2016 05:15 PM EST Reads: 1,998
Information technology is an industry that has always experienced change, and the dramatic change sweeping across the industry today could not be truthfully described as the first time we've seen such widespread change impacting customer investments. However, the rate of the change, and the potential outcomes from today's digital transformation has the distinct potential to separate the industry into two camps: Organizations that see the change coming, embrace it, and successful leverage it; and...
Dec. 3, 2016 03:15 PM EST Reads: 3,222
Extracting business value from Internet of Things (IoT) data doesn’t happen overnight. There are several requirements that must be satisfied, including IoT device enablement, data analysis, real-time detection of complex events and automated orchestration of actions. Unfortunately, too many companies fall short in achieving their business goals by implementing incomplete solutions or not focusing on tangible use cases. In his general session at @ThingsExpo, Dave McCarthy, Director of Products...
Dec. 3, 2016 02:45 PM EST Reads: 522
The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to simplify and streamline our lives by automating routine tasks that distract us from our goals. This promise is based on the ubiquitous deployment of smart, connected devices that link everything from industrial control systems to automobiles to refrigerators. Unfortunately, comparatively few of the devices currently deployed have been developed with an eye toward security, and as the DDoS attacks of late October 2016 have demonstrated, this oversight can ...
Dec. 3, 2016 02:45 PM EST Reads: 700
Machine Learning helps make complex systems more efficient. By applying advanced Machine Learning techniques such as Cognitive Fingerprinting, wind project operators can utilize these tools to learn from collected data, detect regular patterns, and optimize their own operations. In his session at 18th Cloud Expo, Stuart Gillen, Director of Business Development at SparkCognition, discussed how research has demonstrated the value of Machine Learning in delivering next generation analytics to impr...
Dec. 3, 2016 02:15 PM EST Reads: 6,955
More and more brands have jumped on the IoT bandwagon. We have an excess of wearables – activity trackers, smartwatches, smart glasses and sneakers, and more that track seemingly endless datapoints. However, most consumers have no idea what “IoT” means. Creating more wearables that track data shouldn't be the aim of brands; delivering meaningful, tangible relevance to their users should be. We're in a period in which the IoT pendulum is still swinging. Initially, it swung toward "smart for smar...
Dec. 3, 2016 02:00 PM EST Reads: 475
20th Cloud Expo, taking place June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. Cloud computing is now being embraced by a majority of enterprises of all sizes. Yesterday's debate about public vs. private has transformed into the reality of hybrid cloud: a recent survey shows that 74% of enterprises have a hybrid cloud strategy.
Dec. 3, 2016 01:30 PM EST Reads: 2,130
Businesses and business units of all sizes can benefit from cloud computing, but many don't want the cost, performance and security concerns of public cloud nor the complexity of building their own private clouds. Today, some cloud vendors are using artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify cloud deployment and management. In his session at 20th Cloud Expo, Ajay Gulati, Co-founder and CEO of ZeroStack, will discuss how AI can simplify cloud operations. He will cover the following topics: why clou...
Dec. 3, 2016 01:15 PM EST Reads: 629
"ReadyTalk is an audio and web video conferencing provider. We've really come to embrace WebRTC as the platform for our future of technology," explained Dan Cunningham, CTO of ReadyTalk, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at WebRTC Summit at 19th Cloud Expo, held November 1-3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
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Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place June 6-8, 2017 at the Javits Center in New York City, New York, is co-located with the 20th International Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. @ThingsExpo New York Call for Papers is now open.
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Successful digital transformation requires new organizational competencies and capabilities. Research tells us that the biggest impediment to successful transformation is human; consequently, the biggest enabler is a properly skilled and empowered workforce. In the digital age, new individual and collective competencies are required. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, Bob Newhouse, CEO and founder of Agilitiv, drew together recent research and lessons learned from emerging and established compa...
Dec. 3, 2016 12:45 PM EST Reads: 737
Data is the fuel that drives the machine learning algorithmic engines and ultimately provides the business value. In his session at Cloud Expo, Ed Featherston, a director and senior enterprise architect at Collaborative Consulting, discussed the key considerations around quality, volume, timeliness, and pedigree that must be dealt with in order to properly fuel that engine.
Dec. 3, 2016 12:45 PM EST Reads: 1,955
Everyone knows that truly innovative companies learn as they go along, pushing boundaries in response to market changes and demands. What's more of a mystery is how to balance innovation on a fresh platform built from scratch with the legacy tech stack, product suite and customers that continue to serve as the business' foundation. In his General Session at 19th Cloud Expo, Michael Chambliss, Head of Engineering at ReadyTalk, discussed why and how ReadyTalk diverted from healthy revenue and mor...
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We are always online. We access our data, our finances, work, and various services on the Internet. But we live in a congested world of information in which the roads were built two decades ago. The quest for better, faster Internet routing has been around for a decade, but nobody solved this problem. We’ve seen band-aid approaches like CDNs that attack a niche's slice of static content part of the Internet, but that’s it. It does not address the dynamic services-based Internet of today. It does...
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The 20th International Cloud Expo has announced that its Call for Papers is open. Cloud Expo, to be held June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, brings together Cloud Computing, Big Data, Internet of Things, DevOps, Containers, Microservices and WebRTC to one location. With cloud computing driving a higher percentage of enterprise IT budgets every year, it becomes increasingly important to plant your flag in this fast-expanding business opportunity. Submit your speaking proposal ...
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You have great SaaS business app ideas. You want to turn your idea quickly into a functional and engaging proof of concept. You need to be able to modify it to meet customers' needs, and you need to deliver a complete and secure SaaS application. How could you achieve all the above and yet avoid unforeseen IT requirements that add unnecessary cost and complexity? You also want your app to be responsive in any device at any time. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, Mark Allen, General Manager of...
Dec. 3, 2016 11:15 AM EST Reads: 1,643


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From the middle of 2018, Virgin Australia will begin running a daily Sydney to Hong Kong service aboard their A330 featuring their award-winning ‘The Business’ which I reviewed briefly here.
The move comes just months after Virgin launched their Melbourne to Hong Kong service, which will be stripped back to five days a week due to the availability of slots on the ground in Hong Kong.
The new Sydney to Hong Kong service will also offer onward connections to London via Virgin Atlantic, and to China via Hong Kong Airlines. However, with a lengthy stopover on the cards, quality lounge access will be key, and following the closure of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Feb last year (despite its 2015 revamp), it’s highly likely frequent flyers will be directed to the Plaza Premium Lounge, a far cry from both the excellent Qantas Business and Cathay’s brand new ‘The Deck’ Oneworld lounges. Perhaps there may be some affiliation with the Singapore Business Lounge in Hong Kong but it’s also pretty tired in my opinion.
AusBT has reported that Virgin Australia’s Sydney-Hong Kong schedule will look like this, and the airline says tickets will “go on sale soon”:
- VA89 departs Sydney at 10am, arriving into Hong Kong at 5.40pm
- VA88 departs Hong Kong at 7.50pm, arriving into Sydney at 7.10am the next day
Oneworld aficionados will recognise Virgin’s choice of timings, putting the service in direct competition with Qantas and Cathay Pacific, who’ve had a monopoly on the service for until now.
Grab 50,000 Bonus Points on the American Express Explorer Card when you are approved and spend $3,000 in the first three months.


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This news comes from Gematsu, who also say it will cost 5,800 yen (~$53) at retail and 5,546 yen (~$51) to download.There will also be three amiibo figures launching alongside the game, that will unlock special in-game monsters. "One-Eyed Rathalos and Rider (Female)" and "One-Eyed Rathalos and Rider (Male)" each cost 1,800 yen (~$16), and "Nabiru" costs 1,200 yen (~$11). A second set of amiibo will launch after release.
If you already have a Monster Hunter Generations save on your 3DS, you'll get an additional Dinovaldo costume for Nabiru.
Monster Hunter Stories was announced back in April 2015. It'll be offering a different take on the series to normal, and will put players in the shoes of a Rider rather than a Hunter.
Matt Porter is a freelance writer based in London. Make sure to visit what he thinks is the best website in the world, but is actually just his Twitter page.


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Want a great brand of your own? Check out the full list of winners in the Yelp report, as well as further insights into how and why those brands are prevailing.
“Brands that focus on building local communities are well-represented on our list,” says Kadecia Ber, advertising trends expert and director of enterprise solutions at Yelp. “Trader Joe’s and First Watch, for example, make their customers feel like they’re in a local grocery store or diner. The employees know the locals and often go out of their way to help customers—this is what consumers value and reward.”
Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for the WJR Business Beat. Listeners outside of the Detroit area can listen live HERE.


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As a solutions provider of air and environmental technology, Austria-based Scheuch has expanded its operations worldwide and across various industries such as metals, industrial minerals and wood-based panel industries, among others. In June this year, the Scheuch Asia subsidiary welcomed Mirko Köhler to the role of managing director, succeeding Jan Eike Graeff who has been in the post since 2019.
In his new role, Köhler is responsible for the expansion of Scheuch Asia’s sales and partner network. Outlining his strategies in strengthening the company’s presence in the region, Köhler highlighted that one of the key initiatives for the next 12-18 months is to establish a service hub for South East Asia with fully trained commissioning and mechanical supervision for its clients directly on the spot.
He told Panels & Furniture Asia: “We aim to greatly extend our after-sales and service offering to our customers in the region. Our focus will be on offering shorter delivery times for critical spare parts as well as the introduction of service packages tailored to the individual needs of our customers.
“We are also aiming to localise a part of the engineering and supply chain to bring down cost and delivery times for our clients whilst offering more capabilities to manage projects with increased local content.”
This article first appeared in the November / December 2021 issue of Panels & Furniture Asia. To read the rest of this article, click here.


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Custom 3D printing continues to make major leaps. In my opinion this new technology is just one step before the Star Trek replicator. No, you can’t print an edible hamburger, but give it time. I was excited about the announcement that Staples will soon offer 3D printing to the general public. Recently, architects announced that a 3D printed building will arrive in 2014. That should be interesting.
This technology is a powerful tool for small business in need of a prototype of their latest concepts.
What do you think they should try to print next?


text: Earlier today, LEGO Ideas announced that the LEGO version of Wall-E that was submitted to its community for consideration to become an actual LEGO production set has been approved. After reaching 10,000 community supporters back in July of 2014 — which in it of itself is no small feat — the proposed model was then passed on to the review board to consider the feasibility of the project, which of course would include Disney’s own blessings. The announcement today, which also included a ‘Dr. Who’ themed set among several other applicants that didn’t make the cut, confirmed that LEGO Wall-E will soon find its way on the shelf, although LEGO says it’s too soon to share any further details about the project. Hopefully the model will be on display at LEGO’s collector’s event at New York Toy Fair which takes place later this month as they did with the Ghostbusters Ecto-One set, another LEGO Ideas graduate.


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From retailers to restaurants, our local high street businesses have reopened with a new fervour this summer. The lockdown period was a time of uncertainty for everyone, but small business owners around the country proved how adaptable, innovative and versatile they can be as they quickly evolved their businesses to function remotely, pivoted to sell new products and sought to help the local community.
As we walk back into our favourite coffee shop or book in for a much-needed haircut, we’ll notice the retail landscape has changed dramatically – and not just in visual terms. Businesses have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of staff and customers is paramount, from partitions to PPE to limiting how many people are in a shop or restaurant at once.
There are other changes afoot, too, like paying for a service ahead of time from the comfort of home or using click and collect at our favourite local bakery, so that ordering our favourite lunch dish or getting our nails done is a hassle-free experience.
Below, we explore some of the ways that business owners have thought on their feet to quickly adapt their services to the changing times and cater to exactly what clients need and when – and how these changes can benefit both businesses and customers alike.
One of the first – of many – realisations of lockdown was the transformational power of digital to positively enhance our lives. Office workers turned bedrooms and kitchen tables into office spaces - and maintained workplace-levels of productivity - while restaurants and retailers discovered that shifting to online platforms meant that business could continue somewhat as usual... even when nothing else in the world was.
As stores shuttered their doors for days, then weeks and months, shifting physical shops online became a lifeline for retailers and food and beverage businesses who needed to continue trading remotely. It also allowed businesses to maintain customer relationships when owners and clients weren’t able to meet face to face.
A recent survey from Enterprise Nation, which provides expert advice for its small business members, found that 81% of small business owners are open to broadening the business, with 69% indicating that meant adding new online services (58% said they expected to diversify so they could pivot more easily).
Doughnut Time, purveyor of Insta-friendly doughnuts with fabulous flavour combinations and memorable names, like Bellatwix Lestrange and Bueno Mars, is one example of a business that shifted its offerings online – and adapted its products to keep them relevant during the lockdown period.
With 15 physical outposts around the UK, the business had to quickly pivot to online-only sales, thanks to easy-to-use technology from Square, which offers businesses tools like online stores and virtual terminals, so that the business could run remotely. Doughnut Time also launched a DIY home doughnut kit online, selling 50,000 via its Square online store in weeks, and tapping into the lockdown hunger for making something with our hands.
“We use Square for our POS in-store and therefore it was a natural pivot to move to Square’s online services to build a platform for online retail,” Doughnut Time CEO, Tom Anderson, tells HuffPost UK.
“The user-friendly technology made the process relatively pain-free and helped in a big way with creating and loading new products. It was important to us to use technology that was simple to operate, enabling the DT team (all with varying tech-skill-levels) to understand the OS whilst working remotely.”
Sellers can set up an online store for free, handpicking which items to sell online. For beauty businesses, restaurants and retailers, this includes eGift cards and voucher sales – a huge boost to keep small businesses going when their doors are shut – as well as setting up local delivery or contactless pick-ups.
Diversifying offerings – and seeing business boom
The pandemic forced businesses to change their revenue streams, sometimes overnight. Sit-down only restaurants became community food shops and markets, delivering fresh produce to customers who were sheltering in place or couldn’t access supermarket slots; distilleries pivoted production to produce hand sanitiser amid stock shortages; and fashion and homeware brands began creating face masks out of deadstock fabrics that would otherwise go to landfill.
Takeaway took over from table service and cafes such as Brixton’s Aries Bakehouse found that being able to sell their uber-popular sourdoughs through the window meant they could continue trading during the lockdown period. Aries Bakehouse also started stocking local beers so customers could get all of their essentials in one spot – and business boomed as a result, with the owners scaling back from being open five days a week to three, just to cope with demand.
Square started rolling out its newly launched curbside pickup and local delivery to Square Online customers on March 20, 2020. From that date to April, there was a 5x increase in weekly payment processing for Square Online, compared with January to February, 2020, which shows how quickly sellers accelerated to move online as lockdown measures came into place.[i]
Square’s tools have been popular for small businesses during lockdown, since you don’t need to be a resident techie to get on board with the technology – anyone with an account can create an online shop and start selling in minutes. Business owners also like how quickly they see cash in their account, with over 99% of each payment processed into their account the next day, while contactless pick-up and delivery options allow customers to minimise contact with other people.
Click and Collect offerings
Small businesses aren’t the only ones who have diversified their product offerings and experimented with new tools and technologies to adapt quickly to changing customer needs.
Greggs, a leading UK food-on-the-go retailer, with more than 2,000 retail outlets throughout the country, has partnered with Square to roll out digital channels like Click and Collect, which allows customers to order their beloved sausage rolls, bacon butties, cakes and coffee from the comfort of home.
The process couldn’t be simpler: you book a time slot (there’s one every 10 minutes), choose your order and pay online. Customers receive an email when the order is ready for pick-up and then head over to their local shop, where social distancing measures are firmly in place, with one customer allowed in the shop at a time.
Click and Collect is currently available at 40 Greggs stores; from mid-August, Greggs is rolling out its Click and Collect services to 1600 stores nationwide, with 400 shops launching the service each week.
“Click and Collect allows our customers to order and pay in advance for their Greggs favourites through this new digital service channel. With Click and Collect - and the services provided by Square - we now have the opportunity to serve our customers in a more convenient way - wherever and whenever they want - as well as being able to manage demand and queuing time in our shops in a more controlled and efficient manner,” said Tony Taylor, Business Change Director, Greggs.
Making cashless payments easier
It’s safe to say the future of our high street isn’t going to involve us fiddling in our purses for coins and notes: cashless transactions are here to stay. It’s not just an extra safety precaution minimising contact between people during the pandemic, but because cash-free transactions represent yet another level of ease and convenience for customers. New government rules from April 1, 2020 have helped, increasing the tap-only contactless limit from £30 to £45.
We’re also moving towards off-site payments for services such as paying in advance for beauty treatments as well as retail orders. Square offers an interface for businesses that allows customers to tip when they pay for services, too - an added convenience for customers looking to thank their hairdressers or nail technicians, without needing to worry about having cash on hand at the appointment.
Cashless transactions via Square Online also allow customers to access and pay for services remotely, useful for a variety of reasons, including savvy parents sending their kids to the local shops to collect their purchases.
According to Square UK data, there was a 15-fold increase in cash-not-present payments at the height of the pandemic, up from 2% in January to 33% in April. 13% of payments made are still not in-person (that’s 44% higher than January’s figures), while 1 in 3 UK businesses is now cashless. The number of cashless businesses has increased 288%, from 8% in January pre-lockdown to 31% in July.[ii]
[i] Square Inc. Shareholder Letter, May 26, 2020
[ii] Square UK. Cash and the Pandemic Report, August 2020


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Rooted in CAVA’s DNA is a rich history of culinary exploration and flavor seeking curiosity. From helping to bring hummus, harissa, and tzatziki to the masses, to leading with bold ingredients like Fresno peppers and spicy lamb meatballs—CAVA has always pushed forward with new ways to help their guests Discover the Power of Food.
Taking another bold step in this direction—on Monday, August 19—CAVA will relaunch its Dupont restaurant as The Innovation Kitchen—a hub for testing all new culinary explorations direct from co-founder and head chef, Dimitri Moshovitis. The Innovation Kitchen will be the first restaurant in CAVA’s 80-plus fleet of stores to feature and serve new ingredients and recipes.
The transformed location will also be unveiling the first digital menu boards in the brand’s history—aimed at providing guests with a new, elevated ordering experience. To celebrate the opening, The Innovation Kitchen will launch with three new items, including the brand’s first protein in almost five years—Harissa Honey Chicken featuring Madhava organic amber honey, a clean label project ingredient.
The Harissa Honey Chicken will pair the delicate flavor of Madhava honey with the fiery punch of CAVA Harissa for a truly mind-blowing new protein. Alongside that, CAVA will also begin testing a new, vegan, garlic dressing—made from the aquafaba [read: water] of the chickpeas used in the restaurant. Lastly, the brand will be testing crispy chickpeas as a savory topping.
For those CAVA fanatics who are not based in Washington, DC, the brand’s long-term vision is that fan favorites from The Innovation Kitchen will be rolled out to restaurants around the country.


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This buyer purchased a 2007 Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob with 6,222 Miles. It was even advertised as having LOW Miles. Buyer was a victim of Odometer Fraud!
The buyer went and inspected the bike and it drove well. Then paid the seller and took the title. After calling the local Illinois DMV to inquire about how to register it, the seller found out it was purchased as a repossession in 2009 with 18,772 Miles!
It appears eBay Motors has dropped Vehicle Purchase Protection on Motorcycles.
Meanwhile the buyer has stated that eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection denied the claim because it was a motorcycle, and not listed in the Passenger Vehicle or RV and Campers Section. Since when does a Camper have an odometer? The seller is laughing at the buyer and saying SUE ME!
eBay Motors just gets Sleazier Every Month!


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For 20 years, Mission Inn Hotel and Spa owner Duane Roberts has been bringing his childhood love of Christmas to others in Riverside.
The idea of the Festival of Lights was born out of Roberts’ family visiting holiday decorations around town.
“I wanted to do something for the community,” he said in a recent phone interview. “Primarily for the children.”
Each year the Mission Inn goes all out with lights (now more than 3.6 million) and animated characters (now more than 400). The festival, which runs through Jan. 5, also includes an ice skating rink, visits with Santa Claus, vendors and reindeer.
Last year the hotel started offering Santa Suites, elaborately decorated room with goodies like a Christmas tree, stockings, lights and decorations. Santa Claus will even drop by the rooms to tuck children in. Roberts said the suites were very successful.
This year there are two more new additions to wow guests. The Mission Inn will try to break a World Record by creating the world’s largest mistletoe. Roberts called the mistletoe idea “cute and fun.”
There is now a little more fun just for the adults. Sorry kids.
There is a special drink menu inspired by “The 12 Days of Christmas” at the Presidential Lounge at the hotel. A few of the drinks include: Six Geese a Laying (eggnog and Jack Daniels), Five Golden Rings (Goldschläger, Hot Apple Cider, Tuaca), Twelve Drummers Drumming (Starbucks Liquor, Godiva Chocolate, Hot Chocolate) and A Partridge in a Pear Tree (Absolut Pears, Lime Juice, Pear Nectar, Baileys Caramel).
Christmas trees are not forgotten at the Festival of Lights. In the lobby, the Mission Inn will have a 22-foot tall decorated tree. Roberts said that they often have to clip a bit off the top to get it to fit. Fun fact: halfway through the festival, the tree is changed out with a new one due to fire code regulations.
Another tree, new this year, will be added to the outside area of the hotel. Roberts said it will be “giant,” but a mini-version of the tree on display at the Fashion Island mall in Newport Beach.
Looking back at the first year it was put on, Roberts had no idea the festival would be what it’s like today.
“It’s really amazing,” he said. “It blows me away how successful it’s been.”
Follow iGuide on Twitter: @PEcom_iGuide
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 23 through Thursday, Jan. 5
WHERE: Downtown Riverside
INFORMATION: 951-683-7100 or www.riversideca.gov/fol
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
WHEN: noon-11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23; 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursdays, 4-11 p.m. Fridays, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays, noon-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursday, Dec. 20; noon-11 p.m. Monday-Fridays Dec. 21 through Jan. 5; noon-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24; closed Tuesday, Dec. 25.
WHERE: Main Street between University and Mission Inn avenues.
TICKETS: $10 per hour per person, $3 skate rental, $50 frequent skater cards (valid Sundays-Thursdays).


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It's been 21 years since Harry Potter accio'ed his way into our hearts, yet there are still a slew of magical products that continue to tempt our wallets. Not only are a Harry Potter mobile game and a Fantastic Beasts sequel on the horizon for Wizarding World fanatics, but now Mattel is releasing a line of new dolls modeled after your favorite characters in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. There's Professor Dumbledore in all his long-bearded glory as well as Professor McGonagall, dressed in her green robe and witch's hat. Of course, the collection includes a young Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, as well as Ginny Weasley to complete the set. The dolls are sold separately and currently available for pre-order, for $20.97 each (they will be hitting stores in August).
To keep you busy till then, try your hand at the mobile game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, which officially launched in April and features HP faves, including the voice of Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore), and many more who are reprising their roles for this special opportunity. "Our goal with Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is to make players really feel for the first time like they’re attending Hogwarts," Chris DeWolfe, co-founder and CEO of Jam City, the company behind Hogwarts Mystery, said before the game was released. "By including these iconic and incredibly talented actors in the game, we come one step closer to truly giving fans their own Hogwarts experience."
And once you've purchased your Ginny Weasley doll, you can bring her to the theater to see Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald when it hits theaters, in November of this year.
Looks like there's no end in sight for good times to be had in the Wizarding World for Muggles who can't get enough.


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AS the summer months roll in, taking care of your skin is more important than ever.
Wearing sunscreen is key to this and doctors have now warned against a dangerous TikTok trend that could lead to skin cancer.
The trend went viral after Los Angeles-based model Eli Withrow, 24, posted the tip which she said had left her "feeling snatched all summer".
Posting to her 54.6K followers she said: "Haters will say it doesn't work, but I am convinced that if you put a base sunscreen of SPF 30 on and SPF 90 on all the spots that you would put highlighter on, the sun will contour your face where you put bronzer and you will be naturally snatched all summer".
The NHS states that there is "no safe or healthy way to get a tan" and that tanning does not protect your skin from harmful effects.
By not using an SPF that's right for you, you could risk sunburn or further damaging your skin.
Dr Simran Deo at Online Doctor, Zava, said that UV rays from the sun can cause significant damage to the skin – especially for those with fair skin.
"Although using SPF to contour may lead to temporary tan lines in areas where you would usually use make-up to create the same effect, once those tan lines fade you can be left with more permanent skin damage, which presents at a later age and is not so easy to reverse.
"The harsh UVA, UVB and UVR rays of the sun can lead to early signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines, areas of hyperpigmentation such as lentigo or deeper pigmentation known as melasma.
"It can result in damage of the skin cells leading to skin cancer and pre-cancerous changes, as well as having an effect on your immunity", she told MailOnline.
LloydsPharmacy pharmacist Anshu Kaura said that in the UK, you should wear SPF across your exposed skin from March onwards.
She said: “It’s important to remember that the sun in the UK can be very powerful during the summer months and we’re not exempt from its damaging effects.
"The sun is strongest in the UK between March and October and between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
"The NHS advise wearing SPF 30 during these months and staying out of the sun in the hours where it’s at its strongest."
Anyone can get skin cancer and Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
There are more than 16,000 cases a year and approximately 2,300.
Melanoma is caused by overexposure to the sun and sunbeds and this is why The Sun previously launched its Dying For A Tan campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of using sunbeds, which can raise your risk of skin cancer and cause premature ageing.
While experts have slammed the TikTok trend, many social media users have claimed the hack has worked for them – resulting in them having a contoured look.
However, other users have stated that people should not try the trend, and should instead just use sun lotion all over.
Christa Clare Mclane posted a video about the TikTok hack after she decided to give it a go.
The video show pictures of her enjoying herself using normal sunscreen techniques, before showing how her face looked after using the hack.
Her face was bright red and she had large white patches around her eyes.
Dying For A Tan campaign
There are an estimated 7,000 tanning salons in Britain, with some offering sessions from as little as 50p a minute.
Kids as young as EIGHT are using sunbeds, with seemingly little understanding they are playing Russian Roulette with their health.
According to Cancer Research UK, Melanoma skin cancer risk is 16-25 per cent higher in people who have used a sunbed (at any age), compared to people who have never used sunbeds.
This is because sunbeds pelt the skin with such strong UV rays which increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer.
Just 20 minutes on one is comparable to four hours in the sun – with many stronger than Mediterranean rays at midday.
In many cases the damage is invisible until it’s too late, as it can take up to 20 years to become apparent.
Around 16,000 new melanoma skin cancer cases are diagnosed in the UK every year – that's 44 every day.
There are around 2,300 melanoma skin cancer deaths annually – that's more than six every day.
It’s part of the reason the World Health Organisation has deemed sunbeds are as dangerous as smoking.
This is why Fabulous says it is time to stop Dying For A Tan.
The teacher said: "Not a good idea."
LloydsPharmacy pharmacist Pareena Patel said that while this style might look good now for those who had had so-called success with the hack, the damage could actually cause premature ageing.
She added: "Cumulative sun damage means that each time you are exposed to the sun, the damage of previous exposure may deepen.
"You can’t always reverse the harmful effects of the sun, however there are ways in which you can minimise the future impact by ensuring that you remain as careful as you can with your skin."
Source: Read Full Article


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Club Méditerranée, commonly known as Club Med, has picked Spark Foundry to lead its media business in mainland China. The contract was officially signed at the end of July.
Spark Foundry’s scope of work includes strategic and tactical media planning and buying across all channels including SEM, SEO, social, and programmatic, with estimated billings of US$10 million. The agency did not specify the time frame for this amount of billings.
There were reportedly eight agencies in the media pitch, including OMD, iClick, Netbooster and Altima. Campaign has reached out to these agencies for confirmation of their involvement. OMD China said it was involved in chemistry meetings, but did not participate in the actual pitch. Altima was Club Med's previous China agency for SEO, SEM, and reported that it still works with Club Med on global ecommerce projects.
In the past, Club Med worked with different agencies for different digital services, but now Spark Foundry can provide the client the entire scope of services as well as deep consumer insight, overall strategy guidance, and innovative partnerships with BAT, said Linda Wang, general manager at Spark Foundry Shanghai.
"Spark Foundry have impressed us with their in-depth knowledge of Chinese consumers and the travel sector, said Olivia Chen (陈颖), Club Med's VP of marketing and digital of Greater China.
Club Med positions itself as a "premium all-inclusive vacation resort concept for holiday seekers". In China, Club Med has properties in Sanya, Guilin, Beidahu, and Yabuli with ambitions to open 20 more resorts by 2020.


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Automakers manage to keep stocks under control
VW diesel settlement extends to auto lendingUPDATED: 1/13/17 1:02 pm ET - adds VW statement
Volkswagen's settlement in connection with its diesel emissions scandal has spilled over into the vehicle-financing business. VW has agreed to pay $50 million in civil penalties to settle alleged violations of the law, after the Justice Department essentially charged it with tapping U.S. markets to finance fraud.
Bain closes on purchase of MSX International
Cadillac's Project Pinnacle has initial $800 million price tag
Cadillac's effort to transform its retailer network, known as Project Pinnacle, will cost $800 million in its first three years, the brand's chief says. Pinnacle, which starts April 1, overhauls how dealerships earn payments from Cadillac for meeting brand standards.
BEST PRACTICES: Lexus dealership cultivates wrap artists
JM Lexus began its own wrapping business, JM Custom Creations, with a Lexus LS wrapped in a chrome-like design. Now it takes personal requests from car buyers and commercial orders from outside companies.
Penske to buy U.K. used-only dealership group CarShop
Cadillac offers 'vehicle subscription' service for $1,500 a month in NYC
Cadillac will launch a new “vehicle subscription” service next month that allows customers access to its vehicles for a flat monthly rate, no financing or leasing required. The Book by Cadillac service will launch Feb. 1 for drivers in the New York metropolitan area.
AutoNation to hire nationwide next Tuesday
Edmunds ramps up mobile strategy, redesigns site
Edmunds, kicking off the new year with a mobile-first strategy, has unveiled a new logo and launched a redesigned website. It also dropped the “.com” from Edmunds to signify that the company “has grown beyond a pure website.”
Good product helps, but great people make the difference
The numbers that made 2016 stand out
Wrongful death suit against Pa. Hyundai store is reinstated
BEST PRACTICES: Dealership's multilingual staff caters to hearing-impaired
Michigan dealer John Fox has identified employees who can converse in more than a dozen languages, including American Sign Language, to translate vehicle and other purchases for consumers who speak little or no English or are hearing impaired.
RouteOne acquires MaximTrak in bid to boost digital retail business
RouteOne has acquired F&I sales tool provider MaximTrak, effective as of now, RouteOne Holdings said Tuesday. Together, their goal is to position RouteOne for the future of digital retail by enabling customers to finance their vehicles and buy F&I products from wherever they're comfortable: in the finance office, on the showroom floor or online.
Where will Her Majesty get her oil change?
Jaguar's carefully polished heritage took a bash last week when the historic London dealership that serviced the queen's own cars announced it was closing shop, citing the onerous demands to stay within Jaguar Land Rover's franchise network.
Gee Automotive buys 16 Ron Tonkin DealershipsUPDATED: 12/14/16 1:58 pm ET - corrected and details added
Beepi merges with mobile car-buying platform co-founded by Scott Painter
Tesla cleared to open store in Virginia capitalUPDATED: 12/1/16 9:21 am ET - adds reaction
In a decision released Wednesday, the commissioner of Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles reversed a September ruling denying Tesla a dealership license to operate a store in Richmond. It's a victory for Tesla in its ongoing battle with states over dealership franchise laws.
JK Wrangler’s final act: Special editions
Jeep is stretching out consumer interest in the outgoing JK Wrangler by offering a number of special limited-edition packages over the next year while consumers await the arrival of the redesigned JL Wrangler in the second half of 2017.
Sales staff slips into something more comfortable
By blending a casual-attire work environment with a collection of high-end art on the walls, World Subaru in Tinton Falls, N.J., has outperformed other regional dealerships and achieved high customer-satisfaction ratings.


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Company will partner with Oakley on new line.
Intel, which introduced a fingernail-size micro-computer at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, will team up with Oakley and Luxottica to introduce a line of smart eyewear employing the device. The unit, powered by a chip called Curie, also includes Bluetooth, long-life battery and even a special "classification engine" that can determine what kind of sporting activity a user is engaged in. "This changes the game of wearables," promised Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. And in a statement likely to get a few optical retail hearts a-beatin', Oakley CEO Colin Baden added, "We can compress this technology into a beautifully designed set of glasses."


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Abbott Laboratories is making up with Alere after nearly a year of fighting, agreeing to buy the Massachusetts-based company for a lower price and ending its legal battles over the deal.
Abbott has agreed to buy Alere for $5.3 billion, down from the $5.8 billion agreed upon when the deal was announced in February 2016. Abbott will pay $51 per common share to acquire Alere.
“We believe this is an equitable settlement,” Abbott spokesman Scott Stoffel said in a statement. “Point of care is an attractive, growing segment with growth opportunities in both developed and emerging markets. Our core strategic intent — to build a leadership position in this segment — remains the same.”
Namal Nawana, CEO and president of Waltham, Massachusets-based Alere, said in a statement that the new terms of the deal “deliver value and certainty to Alere shareholders” and will speed Alere’s progress in making rapid diagnostics available globally. Alere sells tests used in doctors’ offices, hospitals, ambulances and homes.
Abbott filed a lawsuit in December seeking to escape the deal, saying Alere had “suffered a series of damaging business developments” including the government eliminating the billing privileges of an Alere division; the recall of a product platform; a five-month delay in filing its annual financial report; and government investigations, among other things.
Last year, Alere disclosed a U.S. investigation into its sale practices in Africa, Asia and Latin America, according to Alere. In August, the Justice Department also sent Alere a criminal subpoena over government billings and payments to doctors at Alere’s Austin, Texas, pain management laboratory.
Also in August, Alere sued Abbott in Delaware state court to force Abbott to “fulfill its obligations under the terms of the merger agreement” to gain all necessary regulatory approvals, according to an Alere statement.
Both companies are dropping their lawsuits as part of the new agreement.


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In doing some research for my book, The Flight of a Wild Duck which will be published in September, I ran across a poster that Ken Olsen had commissioned. I had been looking for it for many years. A few months after joining Digital Equipment in the summer of 1979, I was promoted to Senior …
Intel just announced that it would close the Hudson Manufacturing Facility it acquired from Digital Equipment Corp in 1997. The press release from Intel said “the Hudson plant has been used to make a variety of low-end chips found in many electronic devices.” The closure of this plant will not mean much to people other than the thousand or so people directly affected. The exception to this are the few pioneers who vision and drive created it in the first place. They dared to dreamed big and lost. While they understood the potential of semi-conductor technology and large scale integration, like all of us at that time, they did not understand that the computer industry was about to be turned sideway and that companies that were vertically integrated would fail like Digital would fail.
Evidently, Yahoo will close down Alta Vista on July 8th, the Internet search company it acquired in 2003. This is the second time Yahoo has killed Alta Vista. Let me explain.
Ken Olsen, the founder of Digital Equipment died yesterday at the age of 84. He was a special and I would say even extraordinary person who had a great impact on the computer industry and on me personally.